Oh, my!
Today:
7 mile bike ride
I was out of the house by 10am this morning. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy fall weather - cool temperatures that make any sunshine feel heavenly.
Waiting for the bus is a rather boring thing to do. You keep hoping it will show up in just a few more minutes, and eventually it does, but not after five other buses fake you out by turning a block before your stop.
My interview at the flower shop seemed to go well. They are hiring for front-end, weekdays (Monday through Friday), closing shift (10am-7pm) at $11 an hour. It has potential for moving up to a design position, which I am very interested in doing. I enjoy making things, especially things that are pretty, enjoyable, or useful. Floral design seems to fit that quite well.
The owner said that he's looking for someone long term, and I made it clear that I am not interested in short term or something that is dead-end. This job is neither of those things, and we seemed to get along pretty well, so I'm hoping I have a good chance at getting the position. He also said that the shop covers classes and workshops for employees with talent and are interested in taking them. Also, they have health benefits after 6 months, I believe, and 4 paid vacation days immediately. It sounds like exactly what I've been looking for.
I really need (and want) this job, so any good vibes sent my way are greatly appreciated.
Lunch today was another tuna salad + green onions from our porch-garden + craisins on an everything bagel, it was NOM.
After lunch I decided I needed to get up to Roscoe Village Bikes to get a rear rack and a side basket to go on my ride, like I was supposed to do when mom was visiting. My bike desperately needed air in the tires and the hand pump just wasn't doing the trick - so I popped over to Rapid Transit and borrowed some from their free 24-hour access air hose. I really want to like that shop more, but I always get ignored when I go in. It's disappointing.
After getting my fill of free air my tires were much happier, so I took Damen north up to Roscoe. I picked out what I wanted, paid for everything, and was told that they would install both for me and fix my handlebar wrap (for a fee, I don't expect free labor on annoying things like racks and baskets), which took an hour, so I spent it across the street drinking an iced mocha outside and reading some of Douglas Adams' The Salmon of Doubt (which was still overdue at the library.. don't worry I returned it on my way home).
It was nice, although there was a smoking man sitting in the only sunny spot - which was later taken by a man with two dogs before I had the chance to move. It was still nice to just sit outside and enjoy the weather with an amusing book.
I remembered that I also need a helmet and seat, so I went back over to the bike shop and browsed around for a bit. I tried on a couple of helmets and found something acceptable but, of course, my size was out of stock. Fortunately there will be an order coming in on Friday with several that will fit me, so I will return then to pick one up. They did not have the seat I'd like but I should ask if they can order it or have something comparable (or better) to recommend while I'm in.
The ride home was pleasant, although I checked every so often to make sure the rack was still there and my bag hadn't fallen out - some of the roads around here are brutal for bikes. Everything stayed where it was supposed to be, which is good, although it's a fair bit heavier now that it's got both the rack and basket on. My bike is kind of a fatty, so I don't want to think about how much the additions have got to weigh for me to be able to tell when carrying it up the stairs.
Once I got home and was settled in front of the computer I had a strong urge to go to Caravan Beads - which is in the same neighborhood I had just gotten back from. Figures I'd want to go back out for another 6+ mile ride.. I think I'll save it for tomorrow, assuming I'm not dead from push-ups.
7 mile bike ride
I was out of the house by 10am this morning. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy fall weather - cool temperatures that make any sunshine feel heavenly.
Waiting for the bus is a rather boring thing to do. You keep hoping it will show up in just a few more minutes, and eventually it does, but not after five other buses fake you out by turning a block before your stop.
My interview at the flower shop seemed to go well. They are hiring for front-end, weekdays (Monday through Friday), closing shift (10am-7pm) at $11 an hour. It has potential for moving up to a design position, which I am very interested in doing. I enjoy making things, especially things that are pretty, enjoyable, or useful. Floral design seems to fit that quite well.
The owner said that he's looking for someone long term, and I made it clear that I am not interested in short term or something that is dead-end. This job is neither of those things, and we seemed to get along pretty well, so I'm hoping I have a good chance at getting the position. He also said that the shop covers classes and workshops for employees with talent and are interested in taking them. Also, they have health benefits after 6 months, I believe, and 4 paid vacation days immediately. It sounds like exactly what I've been looking for.
I really need (and want) this job, so any good vibes sent my way are greatly appreciated.
Lunch today was another tuna salad + green onions from our porch-garden + craisins on an everything bagel, it was NOM.
After lunch I decided I needed to get up to Roscoe Village Bikes to get a rear rack and a side basket to go on my ride, like I was supposed to do when mom was visiting. My bike desperately needed air in the tires and the hand pump just wasn't doing the trick - so I popped over to Rapid Transit and borrowed some from their free 24-hour access air hose. I really want to like that shop more, but I always get ignored when I go in. It's disappointing.
After getting my fill of free air my tires were much happier, so I took Damen north up to Roscoe. I picked out what I wanted, paid for everything, and was told that they would install both for me and fix my handlebar wrap (for a fee, I don't expect free labor on annoying things like racks and baskets), which took an hour, so I spent it across the street drinking an iced mocha outside and reading some of Douglas Adams' The Salmon of Doubt (which was still overdue at the library.. don't worry I returned it on my way home).
It was nice, although there was a smoking man sitting in the only sunny spot - which was later taken by a man with two dogs before I had the chance to move. It was still nice to just sit outside and enjoy the weather with an amusing book.
I remembered that I also need a helmet and seat, so I went back over to the bike shop and browsed around for a bit. I tried on a couple of helmets and found something acceptable but, of course, my size was out of stock. Fortunately there will be an order coming in on Friday with several that will fit me, so I will return then to pick one up. They did not have the seat I'd like but I should ask if they can order it or have something comparable (or better) to recommend while I'm in.
The ride home was pleasant, although I checked every so often to make sure the rack was still there and my bag hadn't fallen out - some of the roads around here are brutal for bikes. Everything stayed where it was supposed to be, which is good, although it's a fair bit heavier now that it's got both the rack and basket on. My bike is kind of a fatty, so I don't want to think about how much the additions have got to weigh for me to be able to tell when carrying it up the stairs.
Once I got home and was settled in front of the computer I had a strong urge to go to Caravan Beads - which is in the same neighborhood I had just gotten back from. Figures I'd want to go back out for another 6+ mile ride.. I think I'll save it for tomorrow, assuming I'm not dead from push-ups.